==== Setting up the Game ====

=== STEP 1: Decide The Total Force Size ===

Players determine the size of their forces by choosing a total point value. They bring units and/or items totaling that point value to the game. Suggested total force sizes are 15, 24, 30, 36 or 60 points. Players are free to mix multiple speciess in the same force or build a purely homogeneous force. Regardless of the total force size, each player must bring two [[terrains|terrains]] - one Home [[terrains|Terrain]] and one proposed Frontier [[terrains|Terrain]]:

**Home [[terrains|Terrain]]:** This [[terrains|terrain]] die placed in front of you at the start of the game. You select this die. Each Home [[terrains|Terrain]] is adjacent to the Frontier [[terrains|Terrain]], but not adjacent to any other Home [[terrains|Terrain]].

**Frontier [[terrains|Terrain]]:** The [[terrains|terrain]] die placed in the center of the table at the start of the game. Each player proposes a [[terrains|terrain]] die to be the Frontier [[terrains|Terrain]]. The Frontier [[terrains|Terrain]] for the game is selected from these proposed [[terrains|terrains]]. The Frontier [[terrains|Terrain]] is adjacent to every Home [[terrains|Terrain]].

Each player is also required to bring exactly one dragon for each 24 points of total force size, or part thereof. The dragons can be any color(s). Your dragons are placed in your Summoning Pool.

=== STEP 2: Assemble Forces ===

Players divide their units and items into three armies:

**Home Army:** The army at a player’s own Home [[terrains|Terrain]].

**Horde Army:** The army at their opponent’s Home [[terrains|Terrain]]. This army is used to determine the order of play at the beginning of the game.

**Campaign Army:** The army at the Frontier [[terrains|Terrain]].

When assembling armies, players may have no more than half of the points (rounded down) of their total forces placed in a single army. There must be at least one unit in each army. After initial army placement, this army size restriction is no longer in effect. Armies should be assembled in secret and are revealed in step 4 below. Players may find it useful to assemble their armies behind a screen.

=== STEP 3: Set the Battlefield ===

Players choose one of the [[terrains|terrain]] dice they brought to be their Home [[terrains|Terrain]] and place it in front of them to the left, placing the other [[terrains|terrain]] die in the center of the playing area as their proposed Frontier [[terrains|Terrain]].

{{ http://www.performanceca.com/sfr-wiki/sfr-images/game_setup.png?nolink }}

<WRAP group>
<WRAP half column>
**1) Home Army\\
2) Campaign Army\\
3) Horde Army\\
4) #@DUA@#\\
5) #@BUA@#**
</WRAP>

<WRAP half column>
**6) Summonming Pool\\
7) Reserve Army / Area\\
8) Home [[terrains|Terrain]]\\
9) Proposed Frontier [[terrains|Terrains]]**
</WRAP>
</WRAP>

=== STEP 4: Determine Order of Play ===

Both players reveal their forces at the same time and place them at the relevant [[terrains|terrains]] (as explained in step 2). All players then make a maneuver roll with their Horde Armies: roll the army and count maneuver results (for this roll, ignore all effects of SAIs, other than maneuver results they generate).

<WRAP center round important 60%>
//Official Rules Errata 26-Jul-2018// - Players roll their horde armies first to determine order of play, then place their armies at the relevant [[terrains|terrains]]. As such, species abilities do not apply to the initiative roll.
</WRAP>

The player who rolls the most maneuver results may choose to either take the first turn or select which proposed Frontier [[terrains|Terrain]] will be used during the game. If the player chooses to play first, then their opponent selects the Frontier [[terrains|Terrain]]. If the player who rolled the most maneuver results decides to select the Frontier [[terrains|Terrain]], then their opponent takes the first turn.

Either of the proposed Frontier [[terrains|Terrain]] dice may be selected. The other proposed Frontier [[terrains|Terrain]] is removed from the game and not used. In the event of a tie, players reroll until there is a winner.

=== STEP 5: Determine Starting Distance ===

Each player rolls their Home [[terrains|Terrain]] die to determine the initial battle distances. The player that selected the Frontier [[terrains|Terrain]] rolls that die. If you roll an eight, roll again. If you roll a seven, turn the die down to six. All [[terrains|terrains]] will therefore start the game showing a number between one and six.

**You are now set up and ready to do battle!**